Japan to start 'fat checks' for over-40s

The Japanese government is to introduce "fat checks" for the over-40s in an effort to defeat growing waistlines and health costs among the middle-aged.

The health ministry says that from next month, 56 million people must start keeping waistlines below regulation sizes of around 34in or be asked to change their diet.

Japan, traditionally a slim nation with some of the longest living people in the world, is struggling with a rise in "lifestlye" illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, especially among the middle-aged.